Eighty-year-old man considers having a child with his partner

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a reasonably healthy 80-yearold man who is fortunate enough to have a partner of child-bearing age. She would like to bear us a child, but I am concerned about any potential problems with my old genes and any birth defects that might be caused by them. Please help us decide.

The best gift you can give your pet

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I read about a person who did not vaccinate their house cats, and after one of them got out, lost all of them to feline leukemia. I can relate to this person.

Keep your pets safe during the holidays

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: Last Thanksgiving, we had the scare of our life. Our little dog “Mamie” jumped onto the counter and ate a huge amount of the stuffing that I had just scooped out of the turkey!

My neighbor won’t stop feeding stray cats

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My next-door neighbor puts out food for all of the outdoor cats in the area. That includes a lot of strays who are now mingling with the cats who have homes. She even buys specialty cat food if she thinks they don’t like what she’s offering.

How to help pets in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I’m heartbroken seeing the destruction in North Carolina, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina after Hurricane Helene. There must be a lot of lost, hungry and suffering pets.

Learn to adjust your body to a new sleeping schedule

DEAR DR. ROACH: I just retired from working the graveyard shift for 40 years.

Ticks are still out well into fall

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My dog “Austin” was recently diagnosed with Lyme disease. He’s responding very well to treatment with antibiotics.

Congressional candidate Wade to visit Durant

Brandon Wade, Democratic candidate for U.S. representative from Congressional District 2, will speak at two events in Durant on October 1.

Fosamax is an appropriate, albeit powerful medicine for osteopenia

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m a 65-year-old, overweight white woman.

Fight back against fleas

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My apartment has been infested with fleas all summer! I’m so frustrated. My two cats are suffering from hot spots and patchy fur because of the flea bites, and I’ve constantly got bites all over my legs.